April 22 [Day 51] (Jim Davis, assisted by Ruth Morrow, Cliff Hansen and Chris Hunt) 0745-1645. The temperature at 0745 was -3C, reached a high of 10C at 1400 and was 7C at 1645 when fog on the ridges brought the count to an end. It was calm in the valley to 1100 then NE winds 5-20 gusting 30 km/h persisted for the rest of the day. The ridges were also calm to 1100 when light NE winds developed that became moderate after 1300. Cloud cover was 10% cirrostratus to 1000 after which 50% cumulus cloud developed that steadily increased to 100% stratus and cumulus at the end of observation. Observing conditions were excellent to 1545. After 1500 fog began to develop on the top of the ridges and light rain fell shortly after and the count was abandoned at 1645 with all ridges obscured and moderate rain falling. The last day of the count produced 54 migrant raptors of a season high 10 species that, with the exception of 3 birds that moved above the centre of the valley, migrated on a western route from the face of Mount Kidd to the NW behind Mount Allan between 0855 and 1615. The flight comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1sa), 1 female or juvenile Northern Harrier, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1j, 1u), a season high 4 Cooper’s Hawks (2a, 2j), 2a Northern Goshawks, a season high 21 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (16 light morph: 14a, 2u, 2a rufous morphs and 3 dark morphs: 2a, 1j), 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 2 unidentified dark morph Buteos, 10 Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa, 4j, 2u), a season high 6 columbarius Merlins (2a males, 2a females, 2u) and 1 dark morph Gyrfalcon. Four of the Merlins moved as male-female pairs and continuously interacted as they flew. The only resident raptors seen were 3a light morph Red-tailed Hawks. Other birds noted included 3 drumming Ruffed Grouse and two that sat on the trail in bright sunshine oblivious to the presence of goshawks in the area, 2 Sandhill Cranes that flew high to the west over the centre of the valley, 4 Northern Flickers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 3 Tree Swallows, 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Mountain Bluebirds (1m, 2f), 28 American Robins, 5 Varied Thrushes, 15 American Pipits, 1u Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Song Sparrow that sang for 2 hours in the morning, 6 Dark-eyed Juncos, 1 male Red-winged Blackbird and 1 Western Meadowlark. Fourteen visitors shared the last day of the season.

Beaver Mines [Day 56] (Peter Sherrington, assisted by Gord Petersen) 0800-2000. The temperature at 0800 was 2C, the high was 14C at 1400 and it was 11C at 2000 when the count ended. Winds were light (4-9 km/h) and variable to 1400 after which they were moderate E 11-20 occasionally gusting to 35 km/h. Cloud cover was 100% thin cirrostratus to 1000 which became thick after 1030 and produced a perfect halo around the hazy sun that persisted for 1.5 hours. In the afternoon cloud cover varied from 80-100% continuously changing cumulus, cirrus, altostratus and altocumulus that generally provided good locating conditions for birds that often soared very high above the ridge and valley. The first migrant was not seen until 1112 but there was then a steady stream of migrants that peaked at 14 birds between 1400 and 1500, and the last bird of the season was an adult dark morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk at 1812. The count was 38 migrants of 9 species and comprised 1 Osprey, 5 Bald Eagles (4a, 1sa), 6 Northern Harriers (2a males, 3a females, 1u), 2a Cooper’s Hawks, 1u Northern Goshawk, 1u light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 12 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (10 light: 9a, 1j, 2a dark), 9 Golden Eagles (1a, 1sa, 2j, 5u) and 1u American Kestrel). The flyway was often crowded with at least 6 soaring, hunting and displaying resident Red-tailed Hawks that were active between 0956 and 1937. The resident male Northern Harrier displayed a few times and both birds hunted the valley floor, especially late in the day; at 1730 the female caught, mantled and partially ate a vole, and returned at 1852 to finish her meal. A pair of Sandhill Cranes were present in the valley for much of the day and periodically displayed and at least 4 other birds were seen soaring and gliding high above the valley during the day. At 1540 a flock of 5 American White Pelicans soared high to the NE of the ridge before majestically gliding high to the north in a tight group. It was a good last day.

April 21 [Day 50] (Caroline Lambert, assisted by Diane Stinson) 1200-2030. Because of heavy snow observation did not begin until noon when the temperature was 4C; it rose to a high of 8C at 1700 and 1800 and was still 7C when observation ended at 2030. Ground winds were variable and light with occasional gusts to 10 km/h, and ridge winds were mainly west and also light. Snow finished shortly after 1200 but there was no accumulation on the valley floor and the snow line on the mountains remained about 100 m higher on the mountain sides. One hundred percent stratus cloud persisted to 1300 after which cloud cover was 50-90% cumulus and altocumulus for the rest of the day. All ridges remained obscured to 1300 when they began to clear: at 1400 the east was 60% clear and totally clear by 1500, and the west was 40% clear at 1500 and finally cleared at 1700. Despite the poor start to the day there was a fairly strong raptor movement dominated by Golden Eagles with 22 birds migrating between 1305 and 1728, 11 of which, including 10 Golden Eagles were seen between 1305 and 1400, and 8 migrants including 7 Golden Eagles also moved between 1600 and 1700. The count was 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1u Northern Goshawk, 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 19 Golden Eagles (18j, 1u). Most of the early afternoon movement was to the NW over Skogan Pass and subsequently birds moved on a wide front in the light winds. Resident and non-migrant raptors were 4a Bald Eagles, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks and the Golden Eagle pair, one of which displayed above Olympic Summit. Other birds recorded included 1 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 4 Northern Flickers, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 9 Mountain Bluebirds (6m, 3f), 12 American Robins, 15 American Pipits, 4 Bohemian Waxwings that were catching flying insects above the river, 1 singing Song Sparrow and 30 Dark-eyed Juncos. Seventeen visitors were at the site today. Today was also notable that in 25 years of RMERF history this was the first time that both the Principal and Assistant Observers at the Hay Meadow site were females: job well done ladies! Tomorrow will be the last day of the spring 2017 count and Cliff would welcome help to clear the equipment from the site at the end of the day.

Beaver Mines [Day 55] (Peter Sherrington) 1430-1900. Heavy wet snow and sleet fell to 1000 which then changed to rain which finally stopped at 1430 although brief showers and drizzle persisted to 1600. The temperature was 5C when observation started at 1430 and was 6C at 1900. Winds were variable and calm to light (<10 km/h) throughout the observation period, and cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus to 1730 when it began to rapidly break up to cumulus cloud which was 40% under bright sunshine after 1830. The only migrant raptor seen was an adult female American Kestrel that flew low to the NNW at 1846, and the only soaring activity in the calm conditions was a pair of resident Red-tailed Hawks that circled low over the valley at 1618. Not a single bird, including ravens, was seen above the ridge all day. The brilliant late evening light, however, spotlighted a mixed grazing herd of 18 Elk, 3 Mule Deer and 20 Wild Turkeys on the grassy hill to the NE. Tomorrow will also be the last day of the Beaver Mines count.

April 20 [Day 49] (Blake Weis, assisted by Rick Robb) 0710-1835. The temperature at 0710 was -1C and the high was 9C from 1300 to 1530 when the Hay Meadow count was abandoned for the day. Ground winds were mainly SW 0-5 gusting to 15 km/h, and ridge winds were SW light to moderate. Cloud cover was 90-100% cumulus, altostratus and altocumulus to 1400 when low stratus developed that brought rain and by 1530 all ridges were obscured. Observation was then conducted at Lorette Ponds and finally at Lusk Creek where conditions were also poor and the day was finally abandoned at 1835. Before the rain started there was a reasonable movement of 17 raptors of 6 species between 1113 and 1420 comprising 2a Bald eagles, 1 female/juvenile Northern Harrier, 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 1a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 11 Golden Eagles (3a, 3sa, 3j, 2u). Fourteen of the birds moved from Olympic Summit to Skogan Pass and then on to the NW, and the other 3 birds were initially located over Mount Lorette. Resident raptors were a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting above the river, 2 Northern Goshawks (1 calling near the nest site and 1 hunting over Hummingbird Plume Hill), a pair of Red-tailed Hawks and a pair of Golden Eagles, the male of which displayed above Olympic Summit, and 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk and 1a Bald Eagle were seen at Lorette Ponds and Lusk Creek respectively. There was a good selection of other birds species including first seasonal records of 1 Hooded Merganser and 1 Red-naped Sapsucker (both at Lorette Ponds), 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers, including single male Audubon’s and Myrtle subspecies, a pair of Brewer’s Blackbirds, 2 singing Fox Sparrows and 1 White-crowned Sparrow. Other notable birds were 4 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 1 Great Blue Heron that flew low to the south above the river, 1 singing Northern Pygmy-Owl, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Pileated Woodpeckers, 1 Tree Swallow, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Mountain Bluebirds (4m, 2f), 32 American Robins, 4 singing Varied Thrushes, 1 singing Pacific Wren at Troll Falls, 5 American Pipits. 45 Bohemian Waxwings that flew to the north in 2 flocks and 18 Dark-eyed Juncos. There were just 4 visitors at the site today.

Beaver Mines [Day 54] (Peter Sherrington) 0800-1930. The temperature reached a high of 13.5C at 1600 from a low of 1C at 0800 and was 8C when observation ended at 1930. Winds were light, NW-WNW to 1230 and W to 1530 after which they increased to 30-40 km/h W-WSW. Cloud cover was 100% stratus and cumulus all day that thinned after 1000 and gave hazy sunshine and excellent observing conditions thereafter. Raptor migration was initially slow with only 4 birds seen by 1300, but as the winds increased so did the flow of birds which peaked at 17 between 1600 and 1700. The final count of 44 migrants of 11 species seen between 1058 and 1745 comprised 3 Bald Eagles (2a, 1j), 3a Northern Harriers (2m, 1f), 5u Sharp-shinned Hawks, a season high 3 Cooper’s Hawks (2a, 1u), 1a Northern Goshawk, a season high 6 light morph Broad-winged Hawks (1a, 5u), 4 of which soared very high together at 1655, 1u light morph Swainson’s Hawk, 7a calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5 light and 2 dark), 1u light morph Ferruginous Hawk, 12 Golden Eagles (2a, 2sa, 8j) and 2a Peregrine Falcons (1male, 1u). Between 4 and 6 resident Red-tailed Hawks were conspicuous between 1206 and 1930, and often soared to considerable heights in the late afternoon, and a resident male Northern Harrier periodically displayed over the ridge. As I write this at 0700 on Friday, heavy wet snow is falling and rain and snow are forecast for much of the day, but the prospects for migration on Saturday, which will be last day of the count, are good.

April 19 [Day 48] (Joel Duncan, assisted by Caroline Lambert) 0900-2100. The temperature at 0900 was 4C, the high between 1600 and 1900 was 10C and it was still 7C at 2100. Ground winds were initially SW that backed gradually to SE by 1800 after which they were SW again. Velocities were 5-10 gusting 17-24 km/h to 1900 after which it was calm, while ridge winds were strong SW to 1500, moderate to 1900 and then light for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was 30-60% mainly cumulus all day, and the ridges were completely clear. A total of 13 migrant raptors of 3 species was seen between 1502 and 1935, 5 of which moved between 1502 and 1600. The count was 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2a Swainson’s Hawks (1 light, 1 rufous) and 10 Golden Eagles (3a, 2sa, 4j, 1u). The adult rufous morph Swainson’s Hawk seen at 1712 was the earliest ever at the site and the first to be recorded within the current standardized count period that finishes on April 22. The previous earliest record was May 4, 1998. It was followed at 1802 by an adult light morph bird. Resident raptors were 2 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j) seen over the meadow, 3 adult light morph Red-tailed Hawks, a pair of Golden Eagles that flew from the Fisher Range to Olympic Summit and a columbarius Merlin that was briefly glimpsed as it hunted birds in the meadow. Other birds present included 2 Ruffed Grouse (1 of which was drumming), 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 10 Tree Swallows, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a flock of 12 Mountain Bluebirds (8m, 4f), 9 American Robins, 1 Varied Thrush, 7 American Pipits, 31 Dark-eyed Juncos and 1 Common Redpoll. Wood Frogs sang from the small pond near the observation site for the first time this year. Nine visitors came to the site and 2 people from the French language Radio Canada network filmed and conducted interviews for 3 hours for a television piece on our 25th anniversary of counting at Mount Lorette. Cliff Hansen creditably carried the main burden of the interview in french.

Beaver Mines [Day 53] (Peter Sherrington) 0800-2015. The temperature at 0800 was already 6C, the high at 1400 was 13.5C and it was still 10C at the end of observation. Winds were W-WSW all day 30-40 gusting to 60 km/h to 1800 after which they diminished to 20-30 km/h for the rest of the day. It was cloudless to 1030 after which it was 30-80% cumulus, altostratus and lenticular to 1600 that became 100% thin altostratus and cumulus that provided superb viewing conditions for the rest of the day. Raptor movement was steady between 0846 and 1921 and peaked at 12 birds between 1300 and 1400. The total of 52 of 13 species is the highest April count so far this season and comprised 1 Osprey, 1a Bald Eagle, 10 Northern Harriers (5 males: 3a, 2u; 4 females: 2a, 2u; and 1u), a season high 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks (3a, 1j, 7u), 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 3 Northern Goshawks (1a, 1j, 1u), 1a light morph Broad-winged Hawk, 16 Red-tailed Hawks (calurus 14: light 11a, 1u; dark 2a; and 2 unknown race, morph and age), 1a light morph Ferruginous Hawk, 1u Rough-legged Hawk, 1 dark morph Buteo, 3 Golden Eagles (2j, 1u), 1a male columbarius Merlin and 1a Peregrine Falcon. The Osprey and Broad-winged Hawk soared high together at 1908 to bring the day’s species total to a season high thirteen. At least 5 resident Red-tailed Hawks were active and conspicuous between 0845 and 1916.

April 18 [Day 47] (Brian McBride, assisted by Fred Bowen) 0710-1910. The temperature reached a high of 10C at 1700 and 1800 from a morning low of 0C and it was 8C at the end of observation. Ground winds were very variable, light to 0900, then 10-15 gusting 20 km/h to 1300 after which they were 5-10 km/h for the rest of the day; ridge winds were W moderate to strong from 1000 to 1400, and moderate for the rest of the time. Cloud cover was also variable ranging from 30 to 90% mainly cumulus and altostratus that gave good observing conditions throughout. The east ridges were clear all day, while the west was variably 30-90% obscured until 1700 after which it was also clear. A mixture of snow and rain fell from 1315 to 1345, from 1600 to 1630 and after 1900. Despite the mainly favourable migration and observing conditions only 2 migrant raptors were seen: 1u American Kestrel that soared high above the Hay Meadow at 0842 before drifting northwards, and 1j Golden Eagle that flew north from the northern end of the Fisher Range at 1420. Resident raptors were 2 Northern Goshawks at the nest site near the parking area, at least I pair of Red-tailed Hawks and a pair of Golden Eagles, one of which displayed over the Fisher Range in the afternoon. Other bird species included 1 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 1 singing Northern Pygmy-Owl, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Tree Swallows, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 7 Mountain Bluebirds (4m, 3f), 9 American Robins, 1 singing Varied Thrush, 3 American Pipits and 17 Dark-eyed Juncos. There were no visitors today, but a male Grizzly Bear on the Stoney Trail at 1620 was some compensation for the poor raptor migration. The bear had an ear tag # 64 that indicated that it was first captured 20 years ago.

12 hours (543.3) GOEA 1 (2204), AMKE 1 (4) TOTAL 2 (2564)

Beaver Mines [Day 52] (Peter Sherrington) 0800-1945. The temperature at 0800 was 2C, the high was 13.5C at 1400 and it was 8.5C at the end of observation. Winds were W-WSW all day 25-40 gusting 55 km/h, and cloud cover was 50-80% altostratus, cumulus and altocumulus that briefly reached 100% around 1800. It was mainly sunny and observing conditions were good throughout the day. Movement was initially slow with only 2 Golden Eagles recorded between 0959 and 1200, but subsequently migration was steady to 1914 with a maximum hourly count of 10 between 1500 and 1600. The final total was 39 birds of 8 species comprising 1a Bald Eagle, 7a Northern Harriers (6 male, 1 female), 4u Sharp-shinned Hawks, 5 Northern Goshawks (4a, 1u), 7a calurus Red-tailed Hawks (6 light and 1 dark), 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified Buteo, 12 Golden Eagles (4a, 1sa, 5j, 2u) and 1 adult male columbarius Merlin.

April 17 [Day 46] (George Halmazna, assisted by Dan Parliament) 0600-1815. The temperature was -2C at 0600, rose to a high of 9.5C at 1400 and was 7.5C at 1800. Ground winds were SW 0-5 km/h to 1100, variable SW-NW to 1300 and light NW for the rest of the day, while ridge winds were probably light W-NW all day. Cloud cover was 70-100% altostratus, cumulus, cirrostratus and stratus all day that produced light snow flurries between 1400 and 1700, but visibility was good all day. A total of 21 migrant raptors of 6 species were seen between 1052 and 1332, after which movement completely ceased. Apart from the first 3 Golden Eagles that moved on the western route all others moved from the Fisher Range to Mount Lorette from where they headed directly to the north. The flight comprised 1j Bald Eagle, 1a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2a Northern Goshawks, 5a light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 11 Golden Eagles (1a, 6sa, 4u) and 1 adult male richardsonii Merlin. Eight of the 11 Golden Eagles were recorded between 1200 and 1300. There was a good variety of other bird species including 1 Sandhill Crane that flew to the SW above the Fisher Range at 1335, first records of single Pacific Wren and Savannah Sparrow, 4 drumming Ruffed Grouse, 2 Northern Pygmy-Owls, 1 male Belted Kingfisher, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 9 Tree Swallows, 9 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Mountain Bluebirds (5m, 1f), 1 Townsend’s Solitaire, 44 American Robins, 9 Varied Thrushes, 1 American Pipit, 5 Song Sparrows, 32 Dark-eyed Juncos, 4 Red-winged Blackbirds, 50 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches and 17 Common Redpolls. The first butterfly of the season, an unidentified Comma (Polygonia sp) was on the wing at 1445. The 17 visitors to the site had plenty to look at.

Beaver Mines [Day 51] (Peter Sherrington) 0800-1945. The starting temperature was 1C, rose to a high of 13C at 1500 and was 6C at 1945 when observation ceased. Winds were variable and light to 1315 after which they were W-SW 30-45 gusting up to 70 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was mainly 60-100% stratus, cumulus, altostratus and altocumulus to 1900 after which it rapidly reduced to 10% at the end of observation. Viewing conditions were very good throughout. There was a steady raptor migration between 1055 and 1746 involving 35 birds of 9 species. The count was 1 Osprey, 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa, 2j), a season high 12 Northern Harriers (6 males: 5a, 1j, 4a females and 1u), 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (1a, 1u), 1a Cooper’s Hawk, 7 calurus Red-tailed Hawks (5 light: 4a, 1u and 2a dark), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified light Buteo, 5 Golden Eagles (3a, 1sa, 1j) and 1 juvenile Peregrine Falcon. A male Yellow-rumped [Audubon’s] Warbler was a first for the year at 1050.

About RMERF

Since 1992, Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation (RMERF) volunteers have performed annual raptor migration counts at the same site location in the Kananaskis Country, Alberta, spring and fall; significantly providing data to the understanding of and amazement in watching Golden Eagles.